Mini Review: Rusty Rabbit (PS5) – Predictable But Fun Metroidvania Starring Scavenging Rabbits

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In the style of a gritty, moody detective story, Rusty Rabbit commences. The narrative voice, weary and seasoned, introduces us to our protagonist – Stamp, a rough-around-the-edges, hard-luck salvager who happens to be a rabbit with a troubled history.

The game is located in a post-human environment populated by soft, plump rabbits reminiscent of those found in a Sylvanian Families toy collection. The characters scavenge for ancient technology as their means of livelihood, and afterward, they attend services where they study the life story of Saint Peter and his battles against McGregor.

In a balanced portrayal on the Japanese audio track by Yakuza’s Takaya Kuroda, Stamp characterizes his scavenging role with grave importance, contrasting the cute aesthetic. Equipped with a customizable exosuit, he explores human-made structures to find components and engage mechanical adversaries.

Equipped with a drill right off the bat, the primary objective in this game is discovering and shattering as many scrap cubes as you can throughout the gameplay. By smashing blocks into pieces using your trusty drill, you’ll accumulate XP and gather components for upgrading your suit and weaponry.

As the game unfolds, Stamp acquires more skills and an assortment of weapons, making the experience engaging. While the skill tree isn’t extremely complex, gradually enhancing your suit abilities is rewarding. The challenge level of enemies and obstacles is well-balanced; there’s nothing too daunting that a temporary power boost to attack or defense won’t help overcome.

When Stamp isn’t out on salvage missions, he can go back to the main town. During these breaks, he could drop by the diner for some conversation with NPCs, visit church to listen to the teachings of Saint Peter, or sell his bounties at the bar. He might also take this time to fiddle with his exo-suit and then jump back into the vast game map. This cycle is both enjoyable and practical, not particularly revolutionary, but it’s filled with humor and warmth.

Rusty Rabbit follows the traditional Metroidvania structure yet stands out due to its abundance of customization options and touch of social simulation elements. Its unique selling point is undoubtedly the protagonist, a lovable rabbit whose strong-voiced Japanese dub is provided by Kazama Kiryu. Playing it is highly recommended, especially for those who appreciate the character.

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2025-04-14 10:06